History of European Cooperation and Integration The Empty-chair Crisis and First Enlargement

Introduction EEC and other Western-European countries EEC and other Western-European countries Ascension of de Gaulle Ascension of de Gaulle Empty-chair crisis Empty-chair crisis First Enlargement First Enlargement

1) EEC and other Western-European countries Defining features of EEC: Changing trade patterns due to formation of customs union (CU) Changing trade patterns due to formation of customs union (CU) Emergence of single legal framework – enforceable rules Emergence of single legal framework – enforceable rules Aim to establish common agricultural policy (CAP) – first litmus test for the Community Aim to establish common agricultural policy (CAP) – first litmus test for the Community

European Free Trade Area (EFTA) UK – against supranational organisation UK – against supranational organisation Establishment of EFTA – UK, DEN, NOR, SWE, RAK, POR, SUI Establishment of EFTA – UK, DEN, NOR, SWE, RAK, POR, SUI Free trade area – industrial goods only, no CU Free trade area – industrial goods only, no CU Coordinated by Council – dispute settlement mechanism Coordinated by Council – dispute settlement mechanism

2) Ascension of de Gaulle Commission  Engine of integration; president – Walter Hallstein (’57-’65) Commission  Engine of integration; president – Walter Hallstein (’57-’65) Set on collision course with France under the new leadership of General de Gaulle Set on collision course with France under the new leadership of General de Gaulle  “New deal” for France – return to ambitious foreign policy

De Gaulle and European integration De Gaulle sensitive to the influence of supranational institutions De Gaulle sensitive to the influence of supranational institutions Aiming for greater independence from the US Aiming for greater independence from the US Proposal to transform the Treaties of Rome (ToR) – Fouchet’s plan 1961 – closer political cooperation without supranational dimension Proposal to transform the Treaties of Rome (ToR) – Fouchet’s plan 1961 – closer political cooperation without supranational dimension

Fouchet’s plan European Political union Intergovernmental org., seat in Paris, decisions taken in the Council of States by unanimity Intergovernmental org., seat in Paris, decisions taken in the Council of States by unanimity Weakening of NATO by creating an alternative structure Weakening of NATO by creating an alternative structure  Other members states (MS) skeptical  FR not considered able to guarantee security and FR motives not trusted

New political course of France Independence and sovereignty Independence and sovereignty 1962 – force de frappe 1962 – force de frappe 1966 – leaving the military structures of NATO 1966 – leaving the military structures of NATO EEC – too limiting EEC – too limiting FR aiming for “Europe of States” FR aiming for “Europe of States”

Changes in IR Early 1960s – Cold War nearly reaching hot stage (Cuban and Berlin crises) Early 1960s – Cold War nearly reaching hot stage (Cuban and Berlin crises) USA – trying to press European allies to closer security cooperation X FR – set to become independent power

The role of the UK EFTA – did not fulfill British expectations EFTA – did not fulfill British expectations Changing trade patterns due to loss of colonies Changing trade patterns due to loss of colonies Loss of international standing Loss of international standing Pressured by US to establish closer links with EEC, mainly FR Pressured by US to establish closer links with EEC, mainly FR  Application for EEC membership with DEN, IRE

Negotiating first enlargement Enlargement – benefits and problems Enlargement – benefits and problems UK stance: EEC must accept preferential relations with Commonwealth and EFTA; exception from CAP UK stance: EEC must accept preferential relations with Commonwealth and EFTA; exception from CAP FR stance – 1962 vetoed the enlargement FR stance – 1962 vetoed the enlargement -Justification – UK’s interests not in line with EEC  further negative polarization of relations withinEEC

3) Empty-chair crisis FR – pressuring for generous CAP FR – pressuring for generous CAP Commission – pressuring for higher Community budget, less dependent on MS donations Commission – pressuring for higher Community budget, less dependent on MS donations  Proposal on “package negotiations” FR against linkage of the issues FR against linkage of the issues Also, as by 1966, the voting procedures in Council to be changed Also, as by 1966, the voting procedures in Council to be changed  FR - empty-chair strategy

Luxembourg Compromise January 1966 – Summit in Luxemburg January 1966 – Summit in Luxemburg French conditions accepted – no package deals, CAP negotiated separately from budget French conditions accepted – no package deals, CAP negotiated separately from budget In Council, voting will not proceed under QMV, if “vital national interests in stake” In Council, voting will not proceed under QMV, if “vital national interests in stake” Commission’s position weakened Commission’s position weakened End of empty-chair crisis End of empty-chair crisis

4) First Enlargement 1969 – demise of de Gaulle, new FR president Georges Pompidou – new foreign policy tack 1969 – demise of de Gaulle, new FR president Georges Pompidou – new foreign policy tack Summit in Hague – new impuls – “completing, deepening, enlarging” Summit in Hague – new impuls – “completing, deepening, enlarging” Revival of enlargement negotiations Revival of enlargement negotiations

Candidate Countries UK, IRE, DEN, NOR UK, IRE, DEN, NOR UK – PM Edward Heath – strongly supporting membership in the EEC UK – PM Edward Heath – strongly supporting membership in the EEC - Major domestic debate: benefits (internal market) and costs (budget contributions) of the EEC membership - British public opinion divided, divides running across political parties; eventually, Heath won the parliamentary debate narrowly 1973 – UK, IRE, DEN new members (NOR rejected membership in referendum) 1973 – UK, IRE, DEN new members (NOR rejected membership in referendum)

Impact of the 1 st Enlargement Experiment, changing negotiation patterns, new emphasis on coalitions Experiment, changing negotiation patterns, new emphasis on coalitions - New members = new demands on budget, mainly related to CAP UK criticizes CAP, especially after change of government  Labour H. Wilson UK criticizes CAP, especially after change of government  Labour H. Wilson - Contributions too high, little return, emergence of the “British problem” - Establishment of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)